ECLAC highlights the importance of intersectoral coordination in the implementation of care policies at the First Chile Cuida National Meeting

The event, which took place on November 19 and 20 in Santiago, Chile, brought together national authorities, local and regional governments, academics, international organizations and representatives of civil society, including Non-Governmental Organizations and associations of caregivers. During the Meeting, more than 200 participants reflected on the progress and challenges of the first year of territorial implementation of the National Support and Care System with a focus on promoting territorial articulation and relevance.

Lucía Scuro participated in the Panel: Building intersectorality in care policies, a space dedicated to analyzing the articulation between different levels of government, civil society and international organizations to consolidate comprehensive and sustainable care systems. The panel analyzed how intersectorality facilitates the design and implementation of public policies with a territorial and human rights focus, which was moderated by the Undersecretary of Regional and Administrative Development, Francisca Perales.

“Ten years ago we worked together with the Municipality of Santiago to refine a database on female caregivers and people linked to care. Today, this experience shows us that it is not possible to advance in care policies without a broad table of ministries and social actors,” Scuro highlighted. In a regional context marked by gender inequalities and the effects of the care crisis, his words highlight the need to move towards a social organization of care with equality. Likewise, he highlighted that care policy represents “a new wave of public policy formulation” with transformative potential in the economic, cultural and social spheres. He added that “the care society places the sustainability of life at the center, recognizing ecodependence, interdependence and co-responsibility as fundamental principles.”

At the opening of the Meeting, the Minister of the Interior of Chile, Carolina Tohá, stressed the importance of understanding care as a duty and a shared benefit for the entire society, and valued the support of ECLAC in the advancement of care policies. at the regional level. For her part, Paula Poblete, in her capacity as Minister(s) of Social Development and Family, highlighted the impact of care programs in reducing multidimensional poverty, especially in households headed by women. The Minister of Women and Gender Equality Antonia Orellana highlighted the importance of dialogue with caregivers and organizations of people with dependency and disabilities in the design and implementation of policies.

Francisca Gallegos, Undersecretary of Social Services, highlighted the progress in coverage of Local Support and Care Network and the creation of community centers at the local level. Claudio Castro, mayor of the Illustrious Municipality of Renca, emphasized the need to articulate multiple programs and move towards universal coverage.

In her speech, Javiera Reyes, mayor of the Commune of Lo Espejo, stressed the importance of coordination, not only between local, regional, and national governments, but also with caregiving, community, and civil society organizations. Mario González, mayor of the Padre Las Casas Commune, contributed the rural and intercultural perspective, highlighting the value of a community care center appropriate to local needs and the urgency of articulating efforts. Paola Fernández, head of the Social and Human Development Division of the Regional Government of Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica, emphasized the importance of regional governments advancing in this matter and articulating themselves with the responses already existing at the local level.

From the social sector, organizations such as the Yo Cuido Association and the Unitary Central of Workers (CUT) stressed the importance of strengthening the protection of caregivers and avoiding the commercialization of care.

The First Chile Cuida National Meeting consolidated the progress and outlined the next stages of the system, aligning with international commitments such as the Buenos Aires Commitment, which urges States to guarantee the right to care from a gender, intersectionality and human rights perspective.

The System Chile Takes Care It represents a concrete step towards the implementation of regulatory frameworks that recognize care as a fundamental right. The progress made, such as the territorial installation of the system in more than 150 municipalities, reflects how the regional gender agenda can be materialized in public policies that promote co-responsibility and the sustainability of life.